A good day for A9 dualling campaigners

The great A9 dualling roadshow got under way at Aviemore yesterday with what looked like a good level of interest, according to observers there.

A9 Dual Action group's Laura Hansler, who has been leading the charge from her Kincraig home right beside the one part of the trunk road which has actually been dualled in Badenoch and Strathspey, was pleased with the way things were going at Macdonald Highland Resort's Peregrine Suite during the afternoon session.

"I popped along when it was fairly busy, about 30 people over any given period.

"Transport Scotland reckoned the head count would be well over 100 by the end of play which is great, they gauge that as very successful indeed.

"I think those in the group saying it wasn’t busy are failing to take on the sheer vast space Peregrine Suite.

"For me, it was good to see so many people turn out, and I wasn’t just this lone voice shouting for nothing."

The highlight of the day, though, was hearing the 'fantastic' news late on that Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, both past First Ministers, would be called on to give oral evidence at the ongoing public enquiry into the dualling debacle.

Ms Hansler told the Strathy: "I’ve been utterly determined from the outset that we find out Why, When and on whose orders this entire project was basically dropped.

"I’m delighted that the petitions committee are every bit as dedicated and determined to seek these answers.

"I have no doubt whatsoever that it will uncover some very uncomfortable but necessary truths."

Norman Henderson, another observer at yesterday's drop-in session posted: "The video of the dualling was very informative."

Today the roadshow moves on to Dalwhinnie.

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